pancake
movement and location
hi, vpp with his first analysis here :o this is just one set, as that's what I was asked to do :p
QC: Megazard / Anty / TONE114
GP: Haund / P Squared
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Toxic / Sucker Punch
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 224 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=======
Stealth Rock wears down the opposing Pokemon as they switch in, breaking Focus Sashes and Sturdy alike. Golem gets up Stealth Rock fairly reliably thanks to Sturdy, which allows it to set up the hazard without fear of being OHKOed. Due to Golem's naturally high Attack stat, Earthquake OHKOs many Pokemon that are weak to or take neutral damage from it. Stone Edge works very well with Earthquake, as it hits most of the Pokemon in the tier that are immune to or resist Ground. Toxic is able to wear down many common Pokemon that switch into Golem, such as Gourgeist-XL and Tangela. Sucker Punch can be used as a form of priority and can KO many Pokemon that are at low HP. Protect is another option for the final moveslot, although less useful than Toxic or Sucker Punch in general. Protect helps scout for the opposing Pokemon's set, such as whether an opposing Floatzel is a physical or special attacker, or what move the opposing Pokemon will go for if it holds a Choice item. Protect also allows Golem to get more passive recovery.
Set Details
=======
Maximum EVs in HP along with 224 EVs in Special Defense give Golem incredible mixed bulk. A Careful nature is used to maximize Special Defense. These EVs let Golem survive four uses of Hidden Power Ice from Life Orb Zebstrika after Leftovers most of the time. The 32 Attack EVs are needed in order to OHKO Pawniard with Earthquake. Finally, Sturdy is preferred in order to ensure Golem gets up Stealth Rock, especially versus Water- and Grass-types that would normally be able to OHKO Golem with their super effective STAB moves.
Usage Tips
=======
Even though this set is specially defensive, Golem also has a naturally high Defense and can come in on many Pokemon that simply don't have a way to hit it super effectively, such as Flying-types like Chatot, Vullaby, and Ninjask. Take advantage of opportunities where the opposing Pokemon switches out to set up Stealth Rock. In addition, keeping Golem's Sturdy intact is a valuable asset, as this can let Golem get a Toxic or attack off on an opposing Pokemon late-game, ultimately allowing other Pokemon on your team to KO it with damage over time. Use Golem's great Attack stat to your advantage. There are many Pokemon that Golem can take a hit from and KO in return, especially due to Sturdy. Even if you do not want Golem to be severely weakened, this can sometimes be good if you are able to KO a big threat to your team. It is best to get up Stealth Rock early so that it it hits as many Pokemon as possible on the switch in. In addition, Golem can switch into most Electric-types to prevent them from Volt Switching out, hindering their momentum. They usually run Hidden Power Ice, which Golem can take fine, but be wary of surprise Hidden Power Grass or Hidden Power Water.
Team Options
=======
This Golem set fits well on balance teams as part of defensive cores due to its high mixed defenses. Golem is normally checked or countered by bulky Grass- and Water-types, which can easily take one of its attacks and retaliate with their respective 4x super effective STAB moves. Pokemon that remedy this weakness are great partners for Golem, such as Grass-types like Gourgeist-XL and Tangela and Water-types like Lapras and Politoed. In addition, because Golem is immune to Electric-type attacks, it works well with Pokemon that need fast Electric-types removed, such as Chatot, Dodrio, and Articuno. Grumpig is a great partner due to the fact that it threatens Fighting-types like Machoke and Monferno, both of which can KO Golem with Dynamic Punch or Close Combat, respectively. Grumpig also has access to Thunder Wave, which slows down foes for Golem to KO with Earthquake or Stone Edge. Because Golem is such a great check to Flying- and Rock-types, it pairs well with Pokemon that need them removed in order to sweep, such as Jumpluff and Ninjask. Finally, sweepers and wallbreakers that appreciate Stealth Rock, such as Ninetales and Floatzel, are great partners for Golem.
QC: Megazard / Anty / TONE114
GP: Haund / P Squared
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Toxic / Sucker Punch
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 224 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=======
Stealth Rock wears down the opposing Pokemon as they switch in, breaking Focus Sashes and Sturdy alike. Golem gets up Stealth Rock fairly reliably thanks to Sturdy, which allows it to set up the hazard without fear of being OHKOed. Due to Golem's naturally high Attack stat, Earthquake OHKOs many Pokemon that are weak to or take neutral damage from it. Stone Edge works very well with Earthquake, as it hits most of the Pokemon in the tier that are immune to or resist Ground. Toxic is able to wear down many common Pokemon that switch into Golem, such as Gourgeist-XL and Tangela. Sucker Punch can be used as a form of priority and can KO many Pokemon that are at low HP. Protect is another option for the final moveslot, although less useful than Toxic or Sucker Punch in general. Protect helps scout for the opposing Pokemon's set, such as whether an opposing Floatzel is a physical or special attacker, or what move the opposing Pokemon will go for if it holds a Choice item. Protect also allows Golem to get more passive recovery.
Set Details
=======
Maximum EVs in HP along with 224 EVs in Special Defense give Golem incredible mixed bulk. A Careful nature is used to maximize Special Defense. These EVs let Golem survive four uses of Hidden Power Ice from Life Orb Zebstrika after Leftovers most of the time. The 32 Attack EVs are needed in order to OHKO Pawniard with Earthquake. Finally, Sturdy is preferred in order to ensure Golem gets up Stealth Rock, especially versus Water- and Grass-types that would normally be able to OHKO Golem with their super effective STAB moves.
Usage Tips
=======
Even though this set is specially defensive, Golem also has a naturally high Defense and can come in on many Pokemon that simply don't have a way to hit it super effectively, such as Flying-types like Chatot, Vullaby, and Ninjask. Take advantage of opportunities where the opposing Pokemon switches out to set up Stealth Rock. In addition, keeping Golem's Sturdy intact is a valuable asset, as this can let Golem get a Toxic or attack off on an opposing Pokemon late-game, ultimately allowing other Pokemon on your team to KO it with damage over time. Use Golem's great Attack stat to your advantage. There are many Pokemon that Golem can take a hit from and KO in return, especially due to Sturdy. Even if you do not want Golem to be severely weakened, this can sometimes be good if you are able to KO a big threat to your team. It is best to get up Stealth Rock early so that it it hits as many Pokemon as possible on the switch in. In addition, Golem can switch into most Electric-types to prevent them from Volt Switching out, hindering their momentum. They usually run Hidden Power Ice, which Golem can take fine, but be wary of surprise Hidden Power Grass or Hidden Power Water.
Team Options
=======
This Golem set fits well on balance teams as part of defensive cores due to its high mixed defenses. Golem is normally checked or countered by bulky Grass- and Water-types, which can easily take one of its attacks and retaliate with their respective 4x super effective STAB moves. Pokemon that remedy this weakness are great partners for Golem, such as Grass-types like Gourgeist-XL and Tangela and Water-types like Lapras and Politoed. In addition, because Golem is immune to Electric-type attacks, it works well with Pokemon that need fast Electric-types removed, such as Chatot, Dodrio, and Articuno. Grumpig is a great partner due to the fact that it threatens Fighting-types like Machoke and Monferno, both of which can KO Golem with Dynamic Punch or Close Combat, respectively. Grumpig also has access to Thunder Wave, which slows down foes for Golem to KO with Earthquake or Stone Edge. Because Golem is such a great check to Flying- and Rock-types, it pairs well with Pokemon that need them removed in order to sweep, such as Jumpluff and Ninjask. Finally, sweepers and wallbreakers that appreciate Stealth Rock, such as Ninetales and Floatzel, are great partners for Golem.
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